| dc.description.abstract | Oil palm is a rich source of endophytic fungi, whose potential as producer hydrolytic enzymes such as lipase, beneficial in industrial application and waste processing, has not been extensively studied. This research aimed to isolate endophytic fungi from oil palm roots and evaluate their lipase activity. Endophytic fungi were isolated from oil palm roots in Medan Selayang area, Medan. The fungal isolates were characterized both macroscopically and microscopically. The ability of the endophytic fungi to produce lipase was assessed by observing color changes in Lipid Bromocresol Purple (LBcP) medium containing olive oil as a substrate. Quantitative lipase activity was determined by measuring the amount of free fatty acids released using the titrimetric method. The most promising isolate with the highest lipase activity was identified molecularly using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. As a result of the isolation, a total of 20 endophytic fungi isolates were obtained from oil palm roots. Based on morphological and microscopic characteristics showed that all isolates were distinct. Eighteen of endophytic fungi isolates produced asexual spores, while the other two did not. The qualitative screening for lipase production revealed three potential isolates, namely JEAS 5, JEAS 12, and JEAS 16. Quantitatively, isolate JEAS 16 had the highest lipase activity, with 1,499 U/mL and a specific activity of 0.190 U/mg. Molecular identification showed that isolate JEAS 16 was closely related to Ceriporia lacerata with a similarity of 98.89%. | en_US |
